[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-cursed-blade-s-walk":3,"chapter-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-792":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Cursed Blade's Walk",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2263097,4415,"Chapter 792: Night's Shocking Dream","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-792",792,"\u003Cp>The night was deep, and the lights of Jinling Wang Fu blazed brilliantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though constrained by taboos, the Wang Fu had only rebuilt a corner of the former Daxing Dynasty palace ruins, yet as a princely residence, its banquet hall displayed golden pillars, Liulizhan , and Jiaoxiao  curtains—all proclaiming the royal family’s boundless wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Qiu Mingyuan had predicted, the Prince of Jinling sat at the head, while the chief representatives of the Suzhou Lu family and Qiantang Xie family—Lu Sanye and Xie Wuye—sat below him on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men wore brocade robes and fine attire, their bearing elegant, yet deep in their eyes lay a trace of anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Li Yan, he feigned ignorance, drinking and eating as if he were merely here for the feast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet dishes at this Wang Fu were indeed refined; though bearing Jinling’s local flavors, every cut, cooking technique, and plating exuded luxury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the main course, “Jinling Auspiciousness”—it was built on Jinling’s most famed salted duck, selecting only hundred-day free-range “osmanthus ducks” from the shores of Taihu Lake, marinated in aged huadiao wine, Huai salt, star anise, cinnamon bark, and a secret old brine, then slowly smoked over pine and cypress branches with osmanthus blossoms until the skin turned golden-red and glistened with oil, the bones infused with fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When slicing the duck, one must achieve “thin as a cicada’s wing, shaped like a peony,” arranging it into the form of a mythical qilin or auspicious cloud patterns, served with amber-colored candied osmanthus wine and tender ginger sprouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also the “Jade Belt and Jade River Soup.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was made from the fattest, most tender fillets of knife fish harvested before Qingming, the fat beneath the shad scales, and the white roe of pufferfish safely processed by top-tier chefs, all simmered slowly in a broth of chicken fungus and ham to form a milky-white, rich stew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Served in translucent glassware, the surface floated a crystal-clear “jade belt” crafted from sturgeon tendon—exquisitely fresh, extravagantly luxurious, symbolizing “a jade belt across the river, blessings enduring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan ate while praising the food, as if he had truly come only to dine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the two great families’ representatives showed signs of anxiety, glancing repeatedly at the Prince of Jinling, yet the Prince himself looked troubled and hesitated to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, music rose—a troupe of exquisitely costumed performers took the stage. Their water sleeves fluttered lightly, their singing melodious: the Kunqu opera “The Peony Pavilion,” then the rage of Jiangnan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s eyes were sharp; a single glance confirmed all on stage were ordinary mortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a trace of cultivation energy, not a hint of malevolent aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no wonder he was cautious—ghost opera troupes were currently a major threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this scene confirmed Qiu Mingyuan’s judgment: this banquet, ostensibly the Prince of Jinling’s birthday feast, was in truth a “peace-making wine” arranged by the Lu and Xie families, leveraging the Wang Fu’s prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere grew tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prince of Jinling finally made up his mind, set down his jade chopsticks, cleared his throat, and turned his gaze to Li Yan, forcing a warm smile: “Young Master Li, a heroic youth who has achieved remarkable feats in Jinling City—I deeply admire you. Yet in Jiangnan, stability comes first. Here before you are the heads of the Lu and Xie families, who admire your spirit and wish to share a cup with you, burying past grievances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, implying more than he said: “The Li family affair has far-reaching consequences; there may be misunderstandings. The Huai Shu Village case shall be handled by imperial law and the Xuanmen’s statutes. Young Master, you’ve labored tirelessly—why not rest for a while?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The two families are willing to offer compensation, to preserve the dignity of Jiangnan’s gentry and jointly resist the demon threat from Taihu Lake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan sat unmoved, his fingers idly tracing the cold rim of his wine cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared into the glassware, hearing the clinking of cups and soft words around him, yet his mind flashed with the mountain of “human cocoons” stacked in the Huai Shu Village temple’s tunnel, the stiff, numb faces of Zhou Dayong’s wife and children, the fisherman’s tale of the weavers crushed under heavy taxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of Jiangnan struggled in fire and water, while the perpetrators and their accomplices spoke lightly of “dignity” and “compensation” in this palace of luxury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A foul fire burned in his heart—he would never agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly raised his eyes, smiling, sweeping over the Prince of Jinling and the two family heads: “Your Highness’s kindness is deeply appreciated, but such matters fall under imperial law. I am but a wandering rogue of the rivers and lakes—I lack such authority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The music had stopped without notice; the performers fled in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Sanye’s smile froze; Xie Wuye’s eyes flashed with sharp malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prince of Jinling’s warm expression faded, replaced by embarrassment and deeper impatience; he waved his hand: “Young Master, you overstate things—let us speak plainly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yan cut him off, his gaze fixed on the seemingly noble Prince, his voice low but each word clear: “I have one question: Your Highness, of exalted status and above worldly affairs, why would you personally intervene in these two families’ affairs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely what puzzled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jinling’s location is peculiar, riddled with taboos; every Prince of Jinling has lived cautiously, fearing the imperial censors’ accusations—how could this Prince dare meddle in such a mess?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the Prince of Jinling’s throat moved, as if to speak, but he only mumbled: “I… I act for the greater good, to preserve Jiangnan’s peace…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan keenly caught the panic and helplessness in the man’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he did not wish—or could not—to elaborate further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this suffocating moment, a familiar scent jolted Li Yan into alertness—the stench of earth from underground tunnels, despairing sweat, and bitter hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He narrowed his eyes, locking his gaze on a servant bowing low as he carried a tray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant’s steps appeared respectful, yet his body was taut as a drawn bow; his eyes, hidden beneath his lowered bangs, fixed with deadly intent on Xie Wuye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Zhou Captain of Huai Shu Village!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan instantly recognized him, a cold smile curling his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man had lost his family to murder—how could Li Yan stop him from seeking revenge?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world is full of petty schemers, yet it is also full of righteous fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he neared the main table, about to set down the dish—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Lu Sanye’s guards also sensed something wrong and shouted sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant jerked his head up, revealing a face streaked with unkempt beard, gaunt yet blazing with unbearable hatred—the former Yangzhou Capital Commandant Zhou, officially “punished and stripped of rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his eyes now burned only mad, all-consuming rage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dog! Give me back my wife and children’s lives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Dayong roared, hurling the silver tray and scalding soup with all his strength toward Xie Wuye, then launching himself like a moth into flame, charging recklessly toward the area where the Lu and Xie family heads sat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely a Captain of the Capital Commandant’s Office; though he had reached Anjin and possessed rich combat experience, he was clearly no match for the elite guards of the two great families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet on Zhou Dayong’s face, there was only mad elation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His abdomen had swollen grotesquely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath his clothes, a dangerous red glow pulsed, faint thunder rumbling within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thunderfire mechanism! Retreat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the guards cried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s pupils contracted—he immediately stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood Zhou Dayong’s desperate plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man had long embraced death; his family slaughtered, his body poisoned by curses and despair, he had somehow hidden a thunderfire mechanism inside his own body, seeking mutual annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deafening explosion shattered the Wang Fu’s luxury and the silent night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blinding fire and violent shockwaves erupted from Zhou Dayong’s center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splinters of wood, shards of porcelain, chunks of flesh and limbs flew everywhere, mixed with searing air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The area around the main table instantly became a slaughterhouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screams, shouts, the shattering of cups and plates filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Wuye, along with his bodyguards, was blown to pieces on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Sanye was thrown back by the blast, crashing hard against a pillar, spewing blood, life or death unknown. The Prince of Jinling, nearby, was also caught in the explosion; though protected by his personal guards, he escaped death but fell unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick smoke rolled, the scent of sandalwood mixed with blood into a nauseating stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once elegant banquet hall lay in ruins, cries and wails rising everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan deflected flying debris, his gaze cold as he watched this human tragedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… why didn’t you stop him?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wang Fu’s guard commander, covered in soot, glared at him furiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan glanced at him coolly: “What? You failed in your duty, and now you want to blame me?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1513,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.913Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6d7cede6c3e02339142f64e0959e723f4e045a05a237a26b1f04a8d815825069","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-793","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-791",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]